Morrill Public Schools receives a check from Morrill Rotary Club

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (KNEP) - The Morrill Rotary Club, partnering with Rotary District 5440 presented to Morrill Public Schools on Wednesday a check for $10,000 for the new well drilled at the site of the school’s new Agriculture Education Complex in Morrill.

Rotary International is dedicated to causes that build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world. These causes are promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene, saving mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies, and protecting the environment. The Morrill Rotary club, founded in 1936, supports global efforts through its commitment to Rotary International Foundation giving and has participated in giving local funds to support many specific international projects over several decades.

The Morrill Club, however, is particularly committed to making an impact locally as well. This clean water project really addresses three of the Rotary causes: clean water, supporting education, and growing local economies. The Morrill Schools Agriculture Education complex will provide hands-on career and technical education to students from both Morrill Public Schools and Mitchell Public Schools, as the two schools have a joint FFA Chapter. This hands-on career and technical education relates to the primary industry of our local economy and should positively impact our Ag-based workforce for decades to come.

The Rotary Club of Morrill is a small club, but mighty in it’s impact. Superintendent Sherwood says, “The Club has been very supportive of the school for many years, with various projects. But on this project, not only has the Club sponsored the well with a $10,000 donation, Janine Schmidt, the Village Clerk is a member of our club and the Village sold the 10-acre, Brown’s Field to the school for $0.00. Also Janine brought to my attention a $50,000 Greater Good grant sponsored by the Panhandle Partnership, which I applied for and will find out if we are awarded in April of 2022. Kevin Kelley, CEO of Kelley Bean, is a graduate of Morrill Public Schools and is a long time member of the Morrill Club. Kelley Bean committed $25,000 to this project. Matt Harris, President of Morrill’s Platte Valley Bank, is also a member of the Morrill Rotary Club and with Matt’s help, Platte Valley Bank committed $100,000 to this project. Through Platte Valley Bank, I was given information about another local foundation, and I applied for a large grant from that foundation as well; the award notifications from that foundation should be forthcoming. One can easily see that the Rotary Club of Morrill, it’s members and the businesses and organizations they represent have had a major impact on this project, which should serve the school students and the region for years to come.”

The Morrill School Board, the administration, the Ag Education teachers and students say they are filled with gratitude toward Rotary District 5440, the Rotary Club of Morrill and all of it’s club members for the ongoing support for education in Morrill, but also for supporting Rotary causes across the globe.